Program control system for organs or the like



April 23, 1968 R. F. COOPER ET AL 3,380,026

PROGRAM CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ORLANS OR THE Ll Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 6, 1965 April 23, 1968 R. F. COOPER ET AL 3,380,026

CONTROL SYSTEM FR RGNS OR THE LIKE PROGRAM Sheets-Sheet a Filed Jan. 6, 1965 Robert F Cooper Doug/os E. Powe/l United States Patent O 3,380,626 PROGRAM CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ORGANS OR THE LIKE Robert F. Cooper, Homer, and Douglas E. Powell, North Syracuse, N.Y., assignors to Homertrouics, Inc., a corporation of New York Filed Jan. 6, 1965. Ser. No. 423,739 Claims. (Cl. S40-172.5)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Individually operated stops or couplers of an organ are solenoid operated in selected groups, each group being controlled through a selector switch that sequentially controls read out of memory devices, energization of the solenoids and read in of operating signals to the memory devices associated with the solenoids of the selected group. The signals stored in the memory devices may be cleared and a new selection made by simultaneous manual actuation of a group of stops or couplers and the selector switch.

This invention relates to a control system for a plurality of actuator elements such as the stops or coupler switches of an organ or other similar musical instrument.

The system of the present invention is applicable to all types of organs including pipe organs and electronic organs and permits an organist to preset a group of organ stops or coupler switches for control by actuation by a single control switch assembly. The system is also arranged to permit the organist to change the group of stops or coupler switches associated with one or more of the control switch assemblies of the system. Accordingly, a wide selection of different combinations of stops and couplers may be controlled by the respective switch assemblies of the system so as to facilitate playing of the musical instrument.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a control system which is capable of being programmed so as to control the actuation of a plurality of actuator or control elements from switch control assemblies with which selected combinations of actuator control elements are associated.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a system in accordance with the foregoing object employing a control switch assembly capable of sequentially establishing a read-out pulse and close a pair of normally opened switches.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE l is an electrical circuit diagram illustrating the system of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of one of the sequence switch assemblies diagrammatically illustrated in FIGURE l.

FIGURE 3 is a partial side elevational view of the switch assembly in another phase position thereof.

FIGURE 4 is a partial side elevational view of the switch assembly in a third phase position thereof.

FIGURE S is a sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 5-5 in FIG- URE 2.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 6 6 in FIG- URE 2.

ICC

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the system of the present invention generally denoted by reference numeral 10 in FIGURE l, may be associated with a large number of manual actuator elements such as the organ stop or coupler switches aforementioned capable of being individually operated. Two of such actuator control elements 12x and 12)F are shown in FIGURE l, it being appreciated of course, that the system contemplates a much larger number of such actuator control elements. Each of the control elements may be manually displaced from an off position illustrated in FIGURE 1 to an on position. These actuator control elements may however also be displaced from the off to the on positions in accordance with the present invention by power operated mechanisms 14 respectively associated with each of the actuator control elements. The power operated mechanism 14 may therefore include a pair of solenoid devices 16 and 18 respectively energized to displace the control element to an on or an ot position. When each control element is displaced to its on position, it closes a signal restoring switch 20.1', 20y, etc. to control read in of operating signals as will be hereafter explained. Energization of either solenoid 16 or 18 is therefore effected by connection of all of the solenoids in common to an operating voltage line 22. Each of the power operated mechanisms 14 therefore also includes a pair of solenoid drivers 24 and 26, solenoid driver 2.4 being connected to the solenoid 16 so that when it is forwardly biased, the solenoid 16 will be energized so as to displace the actuator control element to its on position. Similarly, when the solenoid driver 26 is forwardly biased, the solenoid 18 will be energized so as to displace the actuator control element to its olf position. Biasing of thc solenoid drivers 24 and 26 is under control of a monostable switching dcvice or flip-flop circuit 2B.

The `Bip-flop circuit 28 is normally energized and maintained in its stable "0 state in which case the solenoid driver 26 is forwardly biased so as to effect energization of the solenoid 18 when operating voltage is supplied through line 22. Accordingly, when in its stable state, the ilipdlop circuit 28 would cause displacement of the associated actuator control element to its olf position. However, when an loutput signal is supplied by line 30 from the amplifier 32 to the switching device 28, it is temporarily switched to its unstable l state causing forward bias of the solenoid driver 24 in order to effect energization of the solenoid 16 when operating voltage is in the supply line 22. Energization of the solenoid 16 will cause displacement of the actuator control element to the on position as aforementioned.

The Hip-flop switching signal from the amplifier 32 is derived from an Or gate 34 associated with each of the `actuator control elements. The Or gates 34 are connected to a plurality of input lines 36a, 36b 36u. The respective input lines carry read-out signals from a plurality -of memory devices including for example the memory devices 38ax and 38bx associated with the actuator control element 12xl these memory devices being respectively connected to the Or gate 34 through lines 36a and 36h. Similarly, the Or gate associated with the control element 12y is connected to the same number of memory devices including the memory devices 38ay and 3Sby illustrated in FIGURE l. The memory devices may be of the magnetic memory core type arranged to store signals and read-out the signals when pulsed by read-out voltage. Accordingly, the group of memory devices including memory devices 38ax and 38u31, respectively associated with the plurality of actuator control elements 12x and 12y, are interconnected in common with a read-out voltage supply line 40a under control of a sequence switch assembly 42a. Similarly, a second group of memory devices including the memory devices 38bx and 38by are connected in parallel to a read-out voltage line 4011 associated with another sequence switch assembly 42b. lt will therefore be appreciated, that any number of such sequence switch assemblies may be provided so as to control read-out from a group of memory devices corresponding to the respective actuator control elements. In this manner, selected control elements may be actuated by their associated power operated mechanisms 14 when signals stored in associated memory devices are read-out. Each of the sequence switch assemblies may therefore establish an actuating voltage pulse in the respective reado-ut voltage lines including the lines a and 40h in order to actuate different combinations of selected actuator control elements.

Associated with each of the memory devices, is a separate And gate including the And gates 44ax and 44br associated with the actuator control element 12x and the And gates 44u); and 44by associated with the actuator control element 12y. All of the And gates associated with each actuator control element are connected in parallel to a signal restoring switch. For example, the signal restoring switch 20x is connected by the line 46x to the And gates 44m: and 44bx in order to condition all of such And gates for supply of a signal to be stored in the associated memory devices upon closing of the signal restoring switch. All of the signal restoring switches 20x and 20y are therefore also connected through a clearing switch 48 to a source of read-in voltage S0. Also, the And gates associated with each of the sequence switch assemblies are connected therethrough to the read-in voltage source 50 through lines 52a and 5211. Thus, thc And gate 44ax will dispatch a signal to its associated memory device 38ax so that it may store a signal therein to be subsequently read-out through the line 36a. In a similar fashion, all of the other And gates may read-in signals to associated memory devices when the corresponding combination of sequence switch assemblies and signal restoring switches are actuated.

Each of the sequence switch assemblies is similar in construction and operation and includes an initially actuated pulsing switch 54. Thus, as one of the switch assemblies is actuated, contact is made and then broken by the pulsing switch 54 so as to establish a read-out voltage pulse in one of the read-out voltage supply lines 40a, 4Gb, etc., depending upon which of the sequence switch assemblies is actuated. All of the pulsing switches are therefore connected to a read-out voltage source 56 by the line 58. After a voltage pulse has been established in the read out voltage supply line, a normally open read-in signal switch 60 is closed so as to establish an electrical connection between the source of read-in voltage S0 and the read-in voltage supply line 52a or 52b for example. Accordingly, all of the read-in signal switches 60 of the sequence switch assembly so as to establish an electrical readin voltage through the line 62. Finally, a normally open operating switch 64 is closed upon actuation of any sequence switch assembly so as to establish an electrical connection from a source of solenoid voltage 66 to the operating voltage supply line 22 which is connected to all of the solenoid devices as aforementioned. The source of solenoid voltage 66 is connected to all of the operating switches 64 through the line 68 and through a set switch 70. It will therefore be apparent, that upon opening of the set switch 70, supply of operating voltage to the solenoids will be prevented in order to disable operation of the power operated mechanisms 14. Similarly, opening of the clearing switch 48 aforementioned, will prevent supply of read-in voltage to the And gates through the signal restoring switches and thereby prevent readin of any signals into the memory devices.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that operation of the system requires actuation of .sequence switch assemblies operative to initially momentarily close the pulsing switch 54 followed by sequential closing oi the switches 6i) and (i4 until release, the pulsing switch 54 remaining open during the release or return movcmcnt ot the switch assemblyY Referring therefore to FIGURES 2 through 6. the conit'uction and operation of such a sequence switch ascrnbly will become apparent. The switch assembly therefore includes a tubular guide member 72 to which a. mounting bracket 74 is connectel. Slidably mounted by the tubular guide member is a slide actuating member 76 one end of which is provided with an actuating button 78. The actuating member 76 is biased to one limit position by a return spring 80 reacting between the button 78 and the tubular guide 72. Movement oi the actuating member 76 through a predetermined stroke l1ctween limit positions may be dehned by means of a stop lug 82 projecting laterally from the actuating member through a slot 8st formed in the tubular guile 72. The end ol' the actuating member 76 opposite the button 7S, pivotalfy mounts by the pivot 85, an angularly displaceablc actuating elcnent 88 capable of being angularly displaced with respect to the actuating member 76 in one direction, ccunter-clockwisc as viewed in FIGURE 2. The pivotally mounted actuating element 88 is therefore operative to engage an upwardly extending conical cam element 90 formed on the movable contact member 92 of the pulsing svi-itch S4.

The pulsing switch 54 includes in addition to the movable contact member 92, a second contact member 94, both of the contact members being mounted by the bracket 74 in non-conductive relation to each other by means of the non-conductive spacers 96 and 98. The movable contact member 92 may therefore be electrically connected to the source of read-out and read-in voltages while the Contact member 94 is electrically connected to the read-out voltage supply line associated with the scquence switch assembly. It will therefore be apparent, that when the actuating slide member 76 is displaced against the bias of the return spi ing 80, to the position illustrated in FIGURE 3, it will establish Contact between the contact members 92 and 94 in order to momentarily supply readout voltage to the associated memory devices. When the pivotally mounted actuating elements 88 passes the conical cam element 90, Contact will be broken in the pulsing switch S4 as illustrated in FIGURE 4. It will also be apparent from FIGURE 4, that when the sequence switch assembly is released so as to permit the actuator member 76 to be returned to its initial position under the bias of the spring 80, the pivotally mounted actuating element S8 will bc pivotally displaced in a counter-clockwise direction relative to the actuating members so as to avoid actuation of the movable contact member 92.

As the actuator member 76 is displaced toward the cnd of its stroke in a forward direction against the bias of the spring 80, it sequentially displaces the contact member 100 into engagement with the Contact member 102 mounted in non-conductive relation to each other by the spacer 104 on the bracket 106 secured to one side of the tubular guide 72. When the actuating element 88 engages the contact member 100, an electrically conductive path is established from the source of read-in voltage through the actuating element 88 and the Contact member 100 to the voltage supply line for the And gates. The contact member 100 and actuating element 8S therefore form the read-in control switch 60. When the actuating member 76 approaches the end of its stroke as illustrated in FIG- URE 4, the contact member 100 is then brought into contact with the contact member 108 nonconductively spaced therefrom by the spacer element 110. The contact members 102 and 108 therefore form the operating switch 64 establishing Contact between the source of solenoid voltage and the supply line to the solenoids. The switches 60 and 64 are opened when the actuating assembly is released and returned to its initial position by the return spring 80.

Operation of the system of the present invention will be appuient from the foregoing description. Assuming all of the memory devices 38 have been cleared, any group of actuator control elements may be selected for operation by their respective power operated 'mechanisms 14 when switch assemblies 42 are actuated. The selection of such a combination for a given sequence switch assembly is effected by first opening the set switch 70 so as to remove operating voltage from all of the solenoids in order to prevent operation of the power operated mechanisms 14. The clearing switch 48 is maintained closed in order to permit read-in of signals by the And gates 44 to the information storing memory devices 38 associated therewith. The given sequence switch assembly is then actuated and held actuated `momentarily during which time, selected actuator control elements 12 are manually actuated to their on positions. The read-in signal switch 60 of the given sequence switch assembly held actuated so as to permit selection of a combination of actuator control elements to be controlled, will establish a supply of readin voltage to all of the And gates in the group associated with the actuated sequence switch assembly. The selected actuator elements may then be manually displaced to the on positions closing the associated signal restoring switches 20 so that output signals from the And gates may be read into the associated memory devices for storage thereof. The group of memory devices associated with the actuated sequence switch assembly will therefore store signals so as to establish the selected combination of actuator control elements controlled by the sequence switch assembly. This program control may be effected in repeated fashion thereafter by closing of the set switch 70.

With the set switch 70 closed, actuation of the sequence switch assembly will initially close and open the pulsing switch 54 so as to supply read-out voltage to all of the memory devices in the group associated with the switch assembly being actuated. Signals stored in this group of memory devices as previously programmed, will therefore produce read-out signals dispatched to the Or gates associated with each of the actuator control elements. A read-out signal from selecting memory devices will therefore be passed by the Or gates associated therewith and amplified by the amplifiers 32 so as to supply a switch pulse to the flip-flops 28 of the selected actuator control elements 12. The flip-flop so switched, will establish a forward bias on its associated solenoid driver 24. After elapse of the time constant associated with the ip-op devices 28 (two seconds), those flip-flops in the unstable state switch back to the stable state at the same time that sequential closing of the read-in control switch 60 and the operating switch 64 occurs. Upon closing of the operating switch 64, either solenoid 16 or 18 is energized depending upon which of the solenoid drivers 24 or 26 is forwardly biased. Accordingly, only the selected actuator control elements will be displaced to the on positions by the solenoids 16. When these selected actuator control elements are displaced to the on positions they close their associated signal restoring switches 20 so as to produce output signals from the And gates associated with the selected actuator control elements in order to read-in and restore the signal previously read-out from the associated memory device. In the manner, the selected combination of actuator control elements associated with a given switch assembly 42 may be preserved and read-out is non-destructive.

In order to clear the selected combination of controlled actuator control elements associated with any sequence switch assembly, so that the selection may be changed, the clearing switch 48 is opened to thereby prevent supply of read-in voltage through the signal restoring switches 20. The sequence switch assembly may then be actuated for destructive read out of the memory devices by and held actuated initially causing read-out of signals from the memory devices in the group associated with the switch assembly as aforementioned. The read-out of signals from the memory devices will accordingly cause flip-Hop devices 28 to forwardly bias solenoid drivers 24 and then return to the stable state. No read-in of operating signals to the memory devices occurs even though the read-in signal switch 60 is closed since opened switch 48 prevents supply of read-in voltage upon closing of the signal restoring switches 20. However, since the operating switch 64 is held closed, the flip-flop devices 28 returning to their stable states will eventually cause all of the solenoid drivers 26 to be forwardly biased in order to displace all of the actuator control elements `12 to the off positions. The switch assembly 42 may then be released leaving all of the previously selected control elements 12 in an off position with no signals stored in the group of memory devices associated therewith. A new selection of control elements may then be made as aforementioned.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed,

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination with a plurality of individually operable actuator devices for musical instruments or the like, a system for selectively programming control of groups of said actuator devices comprising, a plurality of group selecting switch assemblies, read-in control means for enabling selection of said actuator devices by manual actuation thereof simultaneously with any one of the group selecting switch assemblies, power operating means connected to the actuator devices for programmed actuation thereof, information storage means responsive to actuation of an operatively conditioned group selecting switch assembly to energize the power operating means for actuating the group of actuator devices selected, and selection preserving means for restoring information read out by the information storage means in response to said programmed actuation of the selected group of actuator devices, whereby the same selected group of actuator devices is actuated each time an operatively conditioned group selecting switch assembly is actuated.

2. The system of claim 1 including means for disabling the selection preserving means to prevent restoration of information upon actuation of a group selecting switch assembly, whereby a change in the selection of a group of actuator devices may be made.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein each of said group selecting switch assemblies comprises, a read-out switch, a read-in switch, an operating switch and means for sequentially actuating said switches, means connecting said read-out switch to the information storage means for initially effecting read out therefrom in response to actuation of the switch assembly, said power operating means being connected to the information storage means for actuating the selected group of actuator devices upon closing of the operating switch.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said read-in control means comprises, a source of read-in voltage connected to the read-in switch of each of said group selecting switch assemblies, and a plurality of And gate means connected to the read-in switch of each group selecting switch assembly for supplying a signal to the information storage means upon selective actuation of the actuator devices while the read-in switch of the group selecting switch assembly is held closed.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said selection preserving means includes, signal restoring switch means closed in response to actuation of the actuator devices for rendering the And gate means operative, said signal restoring switch being connected by the disabling means to said supply of read-in voltage for supply of signals to the information storage means.

6. The syslem of claim 5 wherein said information storage means comprises, a plurality of memory devices connected to the read-out switch of each of said group selecting switch assemblies and `Or gate means operatively connecting one of the memory devices associated with cach of the group selecting switch assemblies to one of said actuator devices through the operating means.

7. rlhe system of claim 6 wherein said power operating means includes, monostable flip-flop means switched from a stable state to an unstable state upon receipt of a readout signal from the information storage means, and driver means connected to cach of said actuator devices for actuation thereof between off and on positions in response to said switching of the flip-flop means to the unstable state.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein each of said group selecting switch assemblies comprises, a read-out switch, a read-in switch, an operating switch and means for sequentially actuating said switches, means connecting said read-out switch to the information storage means for initially effecting read out therefrom in response to actuation of the switch assembly, and operating means connected to the information storage means for actuating the selected group of actuator devices upon closing of the operating switch.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said read-in control means comprises, a source of read-in voltage connected to the read-in switch of each of said group selecting switch assemblies, and a plurality of And gate means connected to the read-in switch of each group selecting switch assembly for supplying a signal to the information storage means upon selective actuation of the actuator devices while the readin switch of the group selecting switch assembly is held closed.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said selection preserving means includes, signal restoring switch means closed in response to actuation of the actuator devices for rendering the And gate means operative, said signal restoring switch being connected by the disabling means to said supply of read-in voltage for supply of signals to the information storage means.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said information storage means comprises, a plurality of memory devices connected to the read'out switch of each of said group selecting switch assemblies and Or gate means operatively connecting one of the memory devices associated with each of the group selecting switch assemblies to one of said actuator devices through the power operating means.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said information storage means comprises, a plurality of memory devices connected to each of said group selecting switch assemblies and Or gate means operatively connecting one of the memory devices associated with each of the group selecting switch assemblies to one of said actuator devices.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein each of said group selecting switch assemblies comprises, a read-out switch, a read-in switch, an operating switch and means for sequentially actuating said switches, means connecting said read-out switch to the information storage means for initially effecting read out therefrom in response to actuation of the switch assembly, said power operating means connected to the information storage means for actuating the selected group of actuator devices upon closing of the operating switch.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said power operating means includes, monostable flip-flop means switched from a stable state to an unstable state upon receipt of a read-out signal from the information storage means, and driver means connected to each of said actuator devices for actuation thereof between olf and on positions in response to said switching of the flip-Hop means to the unstable state.

15. In combination with a plurality of actuatable control elements having two positions, a power operated mechanism connected to each of said control elements for displacement thereof between said two positions when energized, a monostable switching device connected to each of said power operated mechanisms for rendering `the power operated mechanism operative when switched to an unstable state, an Or gate coupled to each of said switching devices for switching thereof to said unstable state in response to a signal passed therethrough, a plurality of memory devices connected to each of said Or gates for read-out of signals stored therein, an And gate connected to each of said memory devices for supply of signals thereto, a plurality of sequence switch assemblies, cach switch assembly including pulsing means connected to a group of the memory devices respectively associated with all of the control elements for effecting read out of signals stored in said group of memory devices, the pulsing means of all of said switch assemblies being connectcd to a source of read-out voltage for producing pulses, switch means sequentially closed following dispatch of a pulse from the pulsing means for connection of a supply of read-in voltage to a group of said And gates respectively connected to the memory devices of said group of memory devices, and normally opened switch means for connecting a supply of operating voltage to all of said power operated mechanisms upon actuation of the switch assembly and a signal restoring switch closed by displacement of each of said control elements either manually or by energization of the power operated mechanisms for rendering the And gates operative to supply said signals when the sequentially closed switch me'ans is actuated to select or restore the signals read out of the memory devices by the pulsing means, said supply of read-in voltage being connected to all of the signal restoring switches through a clearing switch opened to prevent read-in of signals through the And gates when clearing the memory devices of signals stored therein, said supply of operating voltage being connected to the normally opened switches of the switch assembly through a set switch opened to prevent operation of the power operated mechanisms for selecting the memory devices to which signals are supplied when control elements are manually displaced.

16. In combination with a manually operated control element displaceable between two operative positions, power operating means for displacing said control element from one position to the other in response to an operating signal, `memory means connected to said power operating means for storing said operating signal, readout means connected to said memory means for supplying an actuating pulse to the memory means transferring said operating signal to the power operating means, a sequence switch assembly connected to the read-out means and the power operating means for sequentially generating the actuating pulse and the operating signal, and read-in means responsive to displacement of the control element to one of the positions thereof for storing the operating signal in the memory means.

17. The combination of claim 16 including disabling means for preventing energization of the power operating means to selectively read in said operating signal to the memory means only in response to simultaneous manual actuation of the control element and the sequence switch assembly.

18. The combination of claim 17 wherein said sequence switch assembly includes a read-out switch connected to the read-out means and momentarily actuated to generate the actuating pulse, a read-in switch connected to the readin means to supply said operating signal, an energizing switch connected to the power operating means for energization thereof, switch actuating means displace able through a predetermined stroke in one direction for sequentially actuating the read-out switch and closing the read-in and energizing switches and return means connected to the actuating means for sequentially opening the energizing and read-in switches during movement of the actuating means in the other direction without actuating thc readout switch.

9 19. The combination of claim 16 wherein said sequence switch assembly' includes a read-out switch connected to the read-out means and momentarily actuated to generate the actuating pulse, a read-in switch connected to the device, memory means connected to the power operated device for triggering operation in response to readout of operating signals, and logic circuit means connecting the pulsing means and the switches to the memory means read-in means `to supply said operating signal, an ener- 5 andthe power operated device.

gizing switch connected to the power operating means for energization thereof, switch actuating means displaceable through a predetermined stroke in one direction for sequentially actuating the read'out switch and closing the read-in and energizing switches and return means connected to the actuating means for sequentially opening the energizing and read-in switches during movement of the actuating means in the other direction without` actuating the read-out switch.

20. The combination of claim 14 wherein said programming control system includes a power operated References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,108,257 1CD/1963 Bucholz S40-172.5

3,112,394 ll/1963 Close ct al 235--6L9 3,204,087 8/1965 Millis 23S-151 ROBERT C. BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

15 I. S. KAVRUKOV, Assistant Examiner. 

